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Need h/t upgrade advice

691 Views 31 Replies 13 Participants Last post by gajCA, Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction

Discussion Starter · Sep 26, 2019

Hello all - Here's the deal. After years of dormancy, the H/T beast has awakened within once again with a purchase of a new 4k television.

I'm looking to make an upgrade to our audio set-up, but wondering how to best go about it. Here's what we have -

A roughly 25 x 20 room, equipped with the following H/T stuff for a 5.1 setup.
- New TV (no need to upgrade)
- New Marantz A/V SR6013
- Two DefTech ProCinema 1000 bookshelfs for front R/L channels.
- One DefTech ProCenter 1000 center speaker
- Two Bose Redline Cubes for rears
- One Polk PSW10 Sub

Where would money being spent be most effective...
- Additional height speakers in the front?
- upgrading the front two channels to towers and/or Atmos enabled?
- upgrading the sub?
- upgrading the rears?

I'm not looking to spend a ton, but wisely. Appreciate the feedback -

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

Ryan Statz

· #2 · Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction said:
Hello all - Here's the deal. After years of dormancy, the H/T beast has awakened within once again with a purchase of a new 4k television.

I'm looking to make an upgrade to our audio set-up, but wondering how to best go about it. Here's what we have -

A roughly 25 x 20 room, equipped with the following H/T stuff for a 5.1 setup.
- New TV (no need to upgrade)
- New Marantz A/V SR6013
- Two DefTech ProCinema 1000 bookshelfs for front R/L channels.
- One DefTech ProCenter 1000 center speaker
- Two Bose Redline Cubes for rears
- One Polk PSW10 Sub

Where would money being spent be most effective...
- Additional height speakers in the front?
- upgrading the front two channels to towers and/or Atmos enabled?
- upgrading the sub?
- upgrading the rears?

I'm not looking to spend a ton, but wisely. Appreciate the feedback -

I think the first thing people will say is to upgrade the sub. To what I don't know, I am not knowledgeable enough to make any sort of recommendation. People might tell you that your LCR speakers and AVR are just fine, too.

Indicating a budget would be helpful in determining any possible suggestions as well.

RichManofAction

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 26, 2019

I'm not looking to go north of $500 for a single purchase at this point - especially since I just bought the Sony XBR and Marantz!

edwardccm

· #4 · Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction said:
I'm not looking to go north of $500 for a single purchase at this point - especially since I just bought the Sony XBR and Marantz!

Id recommend returning the Marantz and spending less on the receiver and upping the speaker/subwoofer budget.

id say subwoofer budget alone should be in the 400-600 range minimum

you can move the def techs to surround duty and upgrade the LCR but recomendations vary on space and budget

You can buy this Denon with similar specs to that marantz and put that extra cash into speakers IMHO

https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...7.2-ch-x-105-watts-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

Ryan Statz

· #5 · Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction said:
I'm not looking to go north of $500 for a single purchase at this point - especially since I just bought the Sony XBR and Marantz!

Then I think people would suggest that the upgrade path be to invest the $500 into a decent sub then eventually replace your centre, front LRs, and surrounds in that order later on whenever you have it in your budget to do that.

For the sub, I'm sure someone will likely recommend something from one of the ID companies - Rythmik, for example, comes highly-recommended.

Be careful, though - the upgrade itch is one helluva drug. I had it bad for about 3 months.

edwardccm

· #6 · Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction said:
Hello all - Here's the deal. After years of dormancy, the H/T beast has awakened within once again with a purchase of a new 4k television.

I'm looking to make an upgrade to our audio set-up, but wondering how to best go about it. Here's what we have -

A roughly 25 x 20 room, equipped with the following H/T stuff for a 5.1 setup.
- New TV (no need to upgrade)
- New Marantz A/V SR6013
- Two DefTech ProCinema 1000 bookshelfs for front R/L channels.
- One DefTech ProCenter 1000 center speaker
- Two Bose Redline Cubes for rears
- One Polk PSW10 Sub

Where would money being spent be most effective...
- Additional height speakers in the front?
- upgrading the front two channels to towers and/or Atmos enabled?
- upgrading the sub?
- upgrading the rears?

I'm not looking to spend a ton, but wisely. Appreciate the feedback -

additionally you can always go the used route for speakers and subs many great deal can be had if you're patient. I scored a pair of Klispch Cornwall III for 400 not saying youll find that particularly but there are deals to be had in the used market. Craigslist is a great tool

ianwilsn

· #7 · Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction said:
I'm looking to make an upgrade to our audio set-up, but wondering how to best go about it

You've not mentioned what passive room treatment you have in place already.

I would only look to upgrade the kit if you've already sorted all of the reflections off the walls, floor and ceiling of the room you're going to be using it in.

Ian

lizrussspike

· #8 · Sep 26, 2019

@RichManofAction, agree with @Ryan Statz! Do you watch movies? Do you like bass? That Polk is okay, and not going to do much in a room that size. Try to find a 15/18( classifieds) and then get another one down the road!

edwardccm

· #9 · Sep 26, 2019

Ryan Statz said:
Then I think people would suggest that the upgrade path be to invest the $500 into a decent sub then eventually replace your centre, front LRs, and surrounds in that order later on whenever you have it in your budget to do that.

For the sub, I'm sure someone will likely recommend something from one of the ID companies - Rythmik, for example, comes highly-recommended.

Be careful, though - the upgrade itch is one helluva drug. I had it bad for about 3 months.

The upgrade itch is real and very dangerous lol. These are some of the upgrades I’ve done over the last 4 years lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Elihawk

· #10 · Sep 26, 2019

Yes, I agree with the sentiment that you should sell/return the Marantz, get a 300 dollar AV rec and spend more on speaker/subs. Just audio 101, spend the most where you will hear the most difference...speakers and subs!

Ryan Statz

· #11 · Sep 26, 2019

edwardccm said:
The upgrade itch is real and very dangerous lol. These are some of the upgrades I’ve done over the last 4 years lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just in the last 8 months I went from HTiBs + Polk PSW10 to Pioneer BS22/C22 + HTiBs + Polk PSW10 to Polk RTiA1/CSiA4 + Klipsch R-14M + Elac S10EQ to Polk RTiA3/CSiA4 + RTiA1 + Elac S10EQ, and FINALLY settling on Polk RTiA3/CSiA6 + RTiA1 + Elac S10EQ. This was my wallet:

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RichManofAction

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 26, 2019

Thanks for the input so far everyone -

I mostly watch movies and play Xbox One X, but occasionally listen to music. The other day I watched Dunkirk, and it was insane.

As for the room - it's our den. The floor is carpeted and sits on a concrete slab, with vaulted ceilings towards the rear. We have a sectional, but rear heights aren't possible due to ductwork in the ceiling.

I was looking into the SVS PB1000 as a replacement for the little Polk (which I picked up for a mere $75 new in box a few years back), but was debating getting towers or additional satellites first.

RayGuy

· #13 · Sep 26, 2019 (Edited)

Lots of options for upgrade, but the most obvious upgrade would come in the subwoofer department. Either a Rythmik LV12F or an HSU VTF-2 MK5.

One caveat, if you have "a spot" for the subwoofer and no other possible options, then the odds are pretty good that you will not get your money's worth out of the purchase. Good bass response is all about the position of the sub in the room (along with the position of the seating). If you are unwilling or unable to properly place the sub (Google "sub crawl" on youtube), then I would change my recommendation to replacing the front three speakers.

You might consider the RSL CG23 x 3 (or CG23 + 2 x CG3), ELAC, Q Acoustics, or Emotiva for bang for buck.

Would be helpful to know your usage % Music (in stereo or other mode?), Movies (you looking for better detail/dialog recognition or more bombast?), TV, Gaming ... Also, what is it about your current system that you feel is lacking? What is driving you to upgrade?

RichManofAction

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 26, 2019

RayGuy said:
Lots of options for upgrade, but the most obvious upgrade would come in the subwoofer department. Either a Rythmik LV12F or an HSU VTF-2 MK5.

One caveat, if you have "a spot" for the subwoofer and no other possible options, then the odds are pretty good that you will not get your money's worth out of the purchase. Good bass response is all about the position of the sub in the room (along with the position of the seating). If you are unwilling or unable to properly place the sub (Google "sub crawl" on youtube), then I would change my recommendation to replacing the front three speakers.

You might consider the RSL CG23 x 3 (or CG23 + 2 x CG3), ELAC, Q Acoustics, or Emotiva for bang for buck.

Would be helpful to know your usage % Music (in stereo or other mode?), Movies (you looking for better detail/dialog recognition or more bombast?), TV, Gaming ... Also, what is it about your current system that you feel is lacking? What is driving you to upgrade?

Ha thanks Ray - My sub is tucked in the corner with a wood TV stand, open floor, part of the sectional sofa, and is about a yard from the exterior wall and left channel front.
If needed, I can move the sub elsewhere, but I've never really explored moving it before.

The system was calibrated with Audessey, and is incredibly balanced now, but I was looking for a bit more BOOM. One of the posters above noted how the PSW10 is a bit small for the room size, so maybe that's it! I love the deftechs, and I've read that a good sub offsets lack of front channel towers, but who knows!
I don't listen to music that often to tailor the setup towards it. Mostly casual viewing with the occasional "let's watch a movie and crank it."

I've read a bunch of threads on the SVS, and they seem to be pretty good.

Pictured below, you can see the room set-up and what I'm working with.

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pase22

· #15 · Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction said:
Ha thanks Ray - My sub is tucked in the corner with a wood TV stand, open floor, part of the sectional sofa, and is about a yard from the exterior wall and left channel front.
If needed, I can move the sub elsewhere, but I've never really explored moving it before.

The system was calibrated with Audessey, and is incredibly balanced now, but I was looking for a bit more BOOM. One of the posters above noted how the PSW10 is a bit small for the room size, so maybe that's it! I love the deftechs, and I've read that a good sub offsets lack of front channel towers, but who knows!
I don't listen to music that often to tailor the setup towards it. Mostly casual viewing with the occasional "let's watch a movie and crank it."

I've read a bunch of threads on the SVS, and they seem to be pretty good.

Pictured below, you can see the room set-up and what I'm working with.

The sub is definitely underpowered for the room so will tand to get a lost. If you don't plan on getting dual subs in the long run, You will need a larger sub to pressurize that room which unfortunately don't line up with your budget.

liffie420

· #16 · Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction said:
I'm not looking to go north of $500 for a single purchase at this point - especially since I just bought the Sony XBR and Marantz!

I would reccomend saving up a bit longer until you can get in the $600 to $700 range, and but a new sub. Something from Rythmik, SVS or HSU would work wonders. Next I would probably look at the LCR or the surrounds. Bose speakers just don't work well outside of a Bose system. You could pick up some Sony Core's that would make a MASSIVE difference

liffie420

· #17 · Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction said:
Ha thanks Ray - My sub is tucked in the corner with a wood TV stand, open floor, part of the sectional sofa, and is about a yard from the exterior wall and left channel front.
If needed, I can move the sub elsewhere, but I've never really explored moving it before.

The system was calibrated with Audessey, and is incredibly balanced now, but I was looking for a bit more BOOM. One of the posters above noted how the PSW10 is a bit small for the room size, so maybe that's it! I love the deftechs, and I've read that a good sub offsets lack of front channel towers, but who knows!
I don't listen to music that often to tailor the setup towards it. Mostly casual viewing with the occasional "let's watch a movie and crank it."

I've read a bunch of threads on the SVS, and they seem to be pretty good.

Pictured below, you can see the room set-up and what I'm working with.

Really with a quality sub you can be just fine with bookshelf speakers. I think most people tend to rank upgrade paths like this first sub, then center channel (or LCR if you can afford it) then Left and Right channel and more of then than not take whatever your current Left and Right speakers were and use those for surrounds.

liffie420

· #18 · Sep 26, 2019

edwardccm said:
The upgrade itch is real and very dangerous lol. These are some of the upgrades I’ve done over the last 4 years lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is that a Emotiva C2 down there? I have one in my living room to pair with me JBL Studio 590's and love it.

RayGuy

· #19 · Sep 26, 2019

RichManofAction said:
Ha thanks Ray - My sub is tucked in the corner with a wood TV stand, open floor, part of the sectional sofa, and is about a yard from the exterior wall and left channel front.
If needed, I can move the sub elsewhere, but I've never really explored moving it before.

The system was calibrated with Audessey, and is incredibly balanced now, but I was looking for a bit more BOOM. One of the posters above noted how the PSW10 is a bit small for the room size, so maybe that's it! I love the deftechs, and I've read that a good sub offsets lack of front channel towers, but who knows!
I don't listen to music that often to tailor the setup towards it. Mostly casual viewing with the occasional "let's watch a movie and crank it."

I've read a bunch of threads on the SVS, and they seem to be pretty good.

Pictured below, you can see the room set-up and what I'm working with.

Given your description, upgrading the sub is what I would recommend. Top of the line for you would probably be the HSU VTF-2 MK5. Place it well and be happy!

Molon_Labe

· #20 · Sep 26, 2019

My advice? Buy a soundbar and block this website. You have been warned.

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